The Juice of Act 1 and Act 2.
Nikhil , a software engineer by profession works at Bangalore. Travels to Chennai for his sister’s wedding. He meets Aradhana at the wedding.
Through his uncle Raju Mama ,Nikhil gets the opportunity to accompany Aradhana. Avoiding his sisters “mapillai azhaipu”, Nikhil takes Aradhana to city center to purchase a gift for Aradhana’s cousin. Nikhil capitalizes this stage and takes Aradhana to Marina.
Act 3
The person who was God like to Nikhil a few hours ago, turned to be his Villain.
It was “Raju Mama” who was calling him. Nikhil was in double mind, whether to attend the call or ignore it. Aradhana insisted him to attend the call. Nikhil finally decided to attend the call and he pressed the answer button.
“Nikhil, where are you. It’s been 2 hours since you and Aradhana left. Where are you and where is Aradhana. Did you forget about yours sisters mapillai azhaipu. People are asking for you and Aradhana. Start immediately and reach mandapam as soon as possible” shouted Raju Mama.
“Ya ya. We are on the way. We got stuck up in the traffic. We will reach in another half an hour.” Stammered Nikhil.
“Fast, but you have to answer many people.” said raju mama and he cut the phone angrily.
“Any problem??” questioned Aradhana.
“Ya ya.. I had to do some rituals in my sister’s “mapillai azhaipu”. My parents were searching for me. I was not available. Now they are angry on me.” Said Nikhil.
“I am extremely sorry.” Said Aradhana in a much sweeter voice.
“Not an issue. Actually I loved this evening. I have to thank you.” Flirted Nikhil.
Aradhana responded with a smile.
“We will leave” said Ardhana.
Nikhil halfheartedly left Marina.
They reached City Centre parking area. Nikhil started his bike and she sat behind him.
The traffic was very high but there was no traffic between Nikhil and Aradhana.
There was a dead silence between them.
There was a red signal ahead. Nikhil stopped the bike.
“In how much time we will reach the Mandapam” asked Ardhana.
Nikhil turned back and he saw her face and started speaking.
“In another ten minutes. And I LOVE YOU” said Nikhil in a breaking voice.
Finally the Ice was broken. He was waiting for her reply. Aradhana was puzzled and she didn’t expect Nikhil would be this brutal in proposing her in a busy traffic signal. She started sweltering, not because of Chennai’s hot Sun rays but because of Nikhil’s striking words.
Buses ,bikes and Cars started to horn. Unmindful of the signal, Nikhil kept looking at her.
“ Hey hey hey Green Signal” shouted Aradhana.
Nikhil started the bike. Once again there was a dead silence .
This time Nikhil started the conversation. “Was that Green Signal for me?”
“That was for the road. You are riding .Kindly concentrate on the road and not on me .” pleaded Aradhana.
Aradhana was restless.
They reached the mandapam. Mapillai Azhaipu was over and reception was going on.
Mandapam was flooded with people. Loads of bright decorative lights. Loads of people. Loads of events. Everyone seemed to be busy.
As soon as they reached the mandapam, Ardhana said a bye to him and walked towards her room in the Mandapam.
Consequences of Nikhil’ s action:
• Poor raju mama was loathed by Nikhils parents for sending him out.
• It was only during school times Nikhil was scolded this bad. He was treated like how a Pakistani terrorist would be treated in the Indian Prison. Nikhil’s entire family abused him.
• Finally, Ardhana. Ardhana’s parents advised her not to move with strangers.
Nikhil finished his dinner and was sitting in the mandapam balcony. He was expecting a reply from Aradhana. Couple of times he tried to contact her but she was with her parents. He was lost in thought. He was lost to Aradhana. He slept, sitting in the chair.
Next day Early Morning.
It’s the D day. It was an early Muhurtham (the most auspicious hour) for her sister, scheduled at 5.30 AM. The purest nadhaswaram and the resounding mridangam created a beautiful medley and broke the morning silence.
His family as well as bride’s family were all set for the grand occasion. Nikhil hastily got ready for the upcoming important ritual. He should not and did not want to miss this. Nikhil was wearing a cream color trousers and a blue shirt.
It was exactly quarter to five, Nikhil saw Aradhana at the Main hall, for the first time on that day.
She was climbing down the stairs. She was wearing a light red silk cotton sari, let loose her hair, lips were glossy. Her eyes were as bright as the morning sun. She carried a pleasant smile which could mesmerize anyone. Nikhil was no exception. He fell flat seeing her on sari. He felt like proposing her once again. His ego stopped. He continued with his assigned work.
It was exactly at 5.30 A.M when Akash tied the Nuptial knots.
Nikhil was standing besides his sister.
“Ketty Melam”(the most auspicious music for the South Indian wedding) thundered the entire mandapam. It was at such an auspicious time, Nikhil felt someone touching his hand. He turned back to see ARADHANA. She came near to him and whispered “That Green Signal was for you and not for the Road”. She smiled and her eyes once again conveyed the love she had for him.
Nikhil was high. He smiled, shouted, cried, walked fast, ran slowly, spoke rubbish, he sang and finally his love was acknowledged and reciprocated with greater sense. He fast forwarded his life with Aradhana. He visualized their wedding, honey moon, sweet pillow talks, cool morning walks, refreshing shopping, watching movies, dining, their house, their kids and all the sweetest things in the world.
They met where ever and whenever it was possible. They had their time of life.
Lunch was over. His sister was free in her room. He decided to tell her about Ardahana.
Nikhil met his sister. He told her about all the things. Prarthana congratulated him for getting into a relationship .
“SO , You saw her when I was receiving Akash .You got to know her and started moving close with her when my reception was on. She accepted you during my Muhurtham. I could see lots of similarities between my wedding and your love story. ” said Prarthana.
“You are a genius Prarthana. That’s true. Even I did not notice.” Exclaimed Nikhil.
“Your love story seems to be very fast” said prarthana.
“I personally think it’s very slow” smiled Nikhil.
“Enough… Put a temporary pause. I will speak to parents. Now they are very angry on you. Till then wait patiently” advised prarthana.
“sorry, Prarthana I have already planned and I have some plans for tonight” .
Unmindful of Prarthana’s advise, Nikhil left the place.
It was surprisingly a cold evening at Chennai. Nikhil was searching for Aradhana. He wanted to have a hot coffee with her. Nikhil could not cut the mustard, and started dialing her number.
Aradhana attended his call.
“Hey Aradhana ,Where are you, I am searching for you”
“Sorry ,I am in my room. First floor. Nikhil I forgot to say .. I am leaving tonight to Hyderabad.”
“But you told me in the afternoon that you are starting by tomorrow!!”
“Yeah, but don’t know what parents thought. They are asking me to start tonight”
“This is unfair Aradhana. OK fine, with whom are you travelling?? Alone??”
“No!!! My uncle is travelling with me. Travelling by bus. Would you come with me for Sendoff??”
Nikhil got totally irritated with her response.
“No Aradhana. Got some work. Bye” Nikhil hung up the phone.
Nikhil never called it a day. He thought the day was still ON and even in his wildest imagination, he never thought Aradhana would draw such a plot. He wished to converse with her. He wanted to spend time with her. The HOT time, just after the proposal is always special. Nikhil never wanted to miss the sensational season. The only option left with Nikhil is travelling to Hyderabad, and he decided to do that.
Nikhil told his parents that he has to leave urgently to Bangalore. Unaware of Nikhil’s intentions his parents agreed. He told an express bye to everyone, including his Sister and left the mandpam .
It was half past eight. Nikhil reached Central Railway Station. He tried to get a ticket to Hyderabad but failed in the attempt. He managed to get a ticket in Bus. The bus was scheduled at 10. He boarded the bus in time. He took his phone and dialed Aradhana’s number. There was no answer to his call.
In a journey of 14 hours, Nikhil pulled out his phone 27 times to see if Aradhana called him back, but he was disappointed all the times.
The Next Day Morning.
It was a hot and sunny day at the Biryani City. Nikhil was at the Jubilee bus stand.
Here comes the million dollar question. How, When and Where he can meet Aradhana??
Nikhil dialed her number to get an answer for the million dollar question. Aradhana did attend the call and started to speak.
“Hi Nikhil, sorry for not dialing you back. I was busy. But I have one surprise to share!!” whacked Aradhana.
“What!! You too” puzzled Nikhil.
“Guess what!!! I am in Bangalore” surprised Aradhana.
“Hey whaattt!! Are you serious??” puzzled Nikhil.
“Yeah. I am serious. Yesterday, my uncle who was about to accompany me, cancelled his travel plans. So it became easy for me to change the direction. I wanted to spend time with you. So came to Bangalore. So tell me Nikhil, when and where we can meet?? How about lunch??”
“Aradhana, I am in Hyderabad.”
“Are you joking Nikhil??”
“No Aradhana, I came to Bangalore for the same reason , for which you went to Bangalore.”
“You have become insane Nikhil”
Nikhil was laughing like hell. He controlled his laugh and started to speak.
“You know the story of The Gift of Magi??”
“And what the hell is that Nikhil??”
“Della and Jim , a poor couple but left with loads of love for each other. In a Christmas eve, they wished to express their love through gifts. Della had a beautiful long hair, Jim had a gold watch. These were their only assets. Jim wanted to have a chain for his watch. Della decided to gift him a watch chain, but left with no money she decided to sell her long hair. She went to a parlor, cut her hair, and sold it. Della bought an attractive watch chain for Jim’s watch and presented him. Far from her expectation, Jim was shocked to see Della’s short hair and he was even more surprised to see Della’s gift. Jim, selling his gold watch, gifted Della a pair of fancy combs which Della wished to have for her long hair. ”
Aradhana interrupted.
“Stop the bullshit story Nikhil. I am leaving to Hyderabad tonight,9 P.M.I would be waiting for you at The Forum from 7 P.M onwards. Try to come before that. I want to KISS you”. She hung up the phone.
Nikhil could not believe what he heard. He glanced at his watch to see,11 A.M.
He asked the nearby person “HOW TO REACH THE AIRPORT.”
Nikhil, reached bangalore in time and got his first KISS.
------------The Happy Ending--------:)
